It’s “Hey Rene J” Today!

Trying to get an early jump on continued mowing, I was musing about the length of the weeds this morning. I would let Mother Nature run her course, but then there is always the risk of snakes, rabbits, and mice making their homes in my yard. This contemplation brought to mind the critters I have actually mowed over in the past, when there was less development around here and definitely more animal kingdom presence.

Thus, it was with a passing interest that I considered I had never knowingly mowed over a mouse. Less than ten minutes later, a little guy scampers out from “Hell Hill,” the patch I cannot fully mow because it’s too steep. He was a cutie, too. Hopefully he found someplace other than my window well, because pulling them out of there is another task for this maintenance mama.

Next on the list? Insect abatement. I’m off to spray my spearmint concoction to thwart the grasshoppers who are thriving in this heat.

”…but not a green dress, that’s cruel.”

The band, “Barenaked Ladies” sings this line, which really always rankled me. Who in the world wore a horrible green dress? No one. Green is always beautiful. Thus, yesterday when I had a lovely luncheon and opportunity to visit a boutique, I challenged the band’s pronouncement.

Dining in the restaurant with my friend, “Pann,” a woman walked in with a pretty three-tiered grass-green dress. I made the comment to my luncheon companion, “I would like a green dress.” An hour later we walked through a cute boutique and there for all to see – a green dress. I bought it.

Although the frock I admired in the restaurant was not a tattered, ragged-hemmed garment with a bold “peace” sign on it like the one I purchased, I still have a new green shift fulfilling the desire I stated to the universe. It was the perfect answer to my wish, funky and yet, obviously, green.

The Lord works in mysterious ways and that was quick! I was just trying to take some of the guessing out of the game.

If you need a great laugh, not just a chuckle, any “Reds” movie or “My Cousin Vinny” will do it for me. Characters. Light-hearted vengeance on someone. The perfect anecdote for an evening with no direction.

My day was filled with joy – and ended with me needing to just have no direction! And sometimes having no goal, no end-game, no direction – is absolutely freeing. We place so many directives on the day. (I didn’t get the property mowed and it needs it…but…one day?)

Anyway…light-hearted vengeance sounds delicious. It’s not my modus operandi, and yet I appreciate it when Hollywood exacts it with actors I enjoy. (John Malkovich! Enjoying Marisa Tomei now because I need to see some justice in “Vinny.)

It’s still an early evening – and the Strawberry Moon isn’t out yet!

Watching “Jeopardy” brought to mind a new version which we are employing…although we aren’t actually using pen and paper. You get credit for the answer when you realize you know it!

Mostly we look at the other person and say, “you knew that!” Or the other person answers and none of the contestants do and we are totally amazed. It’s one of those little things that secures your belief that you have married an intellect.

It just goes with being tired at the end of the day and watching this mind game. We watch “Jeopardy” when we’re together and can binge a bunch of episodes. Why don’t we retirees watch “Jeopardy” in the morning when we are fresh and able to answer questions? When that college class on Old English Literature might actually come into play? When the smidgeon of American History taught in high school ago might apply? (Personal complaint.) We don’t because we are off to accomplish something!

My day is coming. There will be grammar and usage questions to come – as well as Latin and Greek root words. I hope the young children of my kids’ school remember the videos we initiated to help them learn the root words – our nationally acclaimed and recognized program in elementary education. (Sorry, “Panita,” I know we won some award for this. I do not know what it was, but it was deserved!)

At least “Jeopardy” gives me a chance to feel intelligent. Sometimes, all you need is the hope?

Act Two – construction of the barricade in the streets of Paris!

We didn’t need a baby gate the first go-around, but perhaps it would be prudent to employ one this time? (Before I break my neck tripping over this construction!) It isn’t beautiful, but it did the trick today.

Alexander the Great’s tomb and body. Tomorrow night – on “Expedition Unknown.”

I’m a sucker for those teasers on Discovery, History or Smithsonian channels. You’d think I would know just about everything there is to know on Egypt…but I rewatch and re-remember. WWII is another hook for me – any show. And then there is “Strange Evidence” on the Science channel, hokey as can be in their delivery of solving the “mysteries,” but I still watch with patience until we learn the answers.

Now I shall be patient as we try to find where Alex is. I’m hoping it takes us longer than one episode. My tome on WWII is dragging on and on. I need this diversion.

Okay…listen to the ads for this “new” bank. They end with a two-tone musical code which is quite pleasant. My theory? They are looking to garner the attention of children with the notes – and implanting that in little minds at an early age. I don’t think that’s a crazy notion or idea I have. And it’s probably a total marketing technique.

Years ago – oh, 31 plus to be exact – my eldest was 18 months old when she pointed to a sign at the old Southglenn mall and said, “JCPenney!” How did she know? Well, who was savvy enough to co-sponsor “Sesame Street?”

Since then I have been acutely aware of advertising and its audiences and equally distrusting. Maybe BMO didn’t intend for those sweet tones to stick in a child’s mind, but I think they sound like they will.

Just a mini-observation as I turn the television “off” when the children are around!

The neighbors to the west have a decorative windmill. The neighbors to the east have a high-flying flag. Along with these two anemometers we can also readily assess the temperature in the shade with our high-tech thermometer. Obviously, we can’t anticipate hail.

The clean-up begins! If you are looking for some exercise with immediate gratification, you are welcome to operate my leaf blower and various mowing implements today. I’ll even let you do some pressure washing for added joy.

I do love you, Mother Nature, and could you please tone it down a bit for this weekend?

The roof inspector is scheduled, the torrential weather knocked the pollen off the trees and seems to have abated the miller moth invasion, and my car is still drivable. Oh – and I can purchase two new cushions for the outdoor furniture as the hail truly ripped one to shreds.

Seriously, it will be nice to spray the yellow coating of pollen off of everything now, and maybe I can put away my vacuum since there was only one insect body for the graveyard today. (I did see those nasty floating cotton seeds begin their journey to my window screens and garage, a new scourge for June weather conditions.)

Sometimes my gardening is given a shorter span of joy than others. I will baby these scraps of growth to see what will become of them. I am not repurchasing and replanting, rather employing “kitsugi.” It is the Japanese art of repairing broken objects but I’m using it for my living plants this year. Somehow it makes this destruction more palatable.

On to some kitsugi time today!

Maybe the pounding hail and relentless rains have washed the moths away? Aside from shredding my plants yesterday and possibly dinging my little car (I’m afraid to look) I do hope it chased every moth out of here. My vacuum sits out for its daily sweep of the dead ones.

Oh, it’s my own fault. I keep the doors open at night for the beautiful breeze and lovely weather, and somehow those little pests sneak in around the screen door. It’s also my fault for going out to the grocery store just to make sure there was food for my spouse’s return to our home. However – I received NO weather alert at all. Nothing. Whose fault is that?

I suppose I’ll move the plants and try to salvage something as we are supposedly having another round today. At least I’ve enjoyed them for two weeks!

P.S. I do have dings.